On the Leading Error Term of Exponentially Fitted Numerov Methods

Second-order boundary value problems are solved with exponentially-fitted Numerov methods. In order to attribute a value to the free parameter in such a method, we look at the leading term of the local truncation error. By solving the problem in two phases, a value for this parameter can be found such that the tuned method behaves like a sixth order method. Furthermore, guidelines to choose between multi le possible values for this parameter are given

Comparison and Modeling of Sand Behavior Under Cyclic Direct Simple Shear And Cyclic Triaxial Testing

Constant volume cyclic shear (DSS) tests were performed on Brusselian sand using the new NGI simple shear apparatus and a special control system for cyclic strain controlled testing. Test results are compared with those from cyclic triaxial (TXS) tests. The tests investigated the degradation of the cyclic shear modulus for different relative densities (from 60% to 90%), different consolidation pressures (from 5OkPa to 200kPa) and different shear strain amplitudes (from 0.1% to 9%). The comparison of the soil specimen behavior in the two different test types shows that soil degradation is mainly function of (1) the dilative or contractive behavior of the soil and of (2) the extreme state reached during the previous cycles. The test results show that there exists an unique relationship between the secant shear modulus of a given cycle and the energy dissipated during that cycle. A model is presented that predicts the hysteresis loops induced on a dilative soil during a cyclic strain controlled direct simple shear test

Europese duurzaamheidsindicatoren voor kustgebieden in Nederland: een eerste inventarisatie = European sustainability indicators for coastal zones in The Netherlands: a first inventory

The Directorate-General Water of the Dutch Ministry of Public Works and Water Management has appointed the National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management (RIKZ) and Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) to draw up an inventory of the ED sustainability indicators for its coasts. This document provides a first assessment of sustainability in our coastal zone from a common European point of view. It depicts the findings for the 27 EU sustainability indicators supported by a brief trend analysis where feasible

Colorants Detected by HPLC-PDA in Textiles from 13th Century Lieto Ristinpelto, Finland

Organic colorants of textiles found in the female burial of Lieto Ristinpelto, SW Finland, were analyzed by HPLC-PDA. The textiles’ visible colors varied from different brownish shades to blueish, greenish, and reddish hues. The aim of the chromatographic analysis was to deepen the current understandings of the dyes used in Finland at the transition between the 12th and 13th centuries AD, i.e., at the beginning of the local Medieval period, and to contribute important new information about dyes and clothing from this less-known period of textile history of Finland. The textile finds consisted of a bronze spiral ornamented shawl, an apron tied at the waist, two tablet-woven bands, and a diagonally plaited band with plaited tassels. A unique find was a textile possibly made using the sprang technique. Other textile finds were an orange wool tabby and twill fragments. Analysis of thirty samples from fourteen different textiles indicated that woad colorants were present in most samples, accompanied with lichen compounds, and dyer’s madder was in two visually orange fragments. The visually reddish samples contained luteolin, but no red colorants

Indicators and information systems in support of integrated coastal zone management in Belgium, the southern North Sea and Europe

High-quality information and scientifically underpinned data is needed in support of decision taking and good governance in coastal zones. Good governance does not only pursue effective policies and efficient administration. It also aims at building capacity and commitment within society, by supporting a flow of objective and reliable information towards the stakeholders and the wider public, and in a format that is useful and relevant for its purpose. A set of sustainability indicators (SI) addressing the complexity of ecological, environmental and socio-economic issues involved in achieving an integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) can provide an answer in a format that is useful for policymakers and is an effective communication tool towards a wider range of stakeholders. In a demonstration session, the sustainability indicators (SI) for coastal zones are presented and interactive tools to search, visualize and download data, are displayed. The SI form part of a wider information system for Belgium, as developed by the Coordination Centre for ICZM (www.kustbeheer.be); the SAIL partnership in the southern North Sea (www.vliz.be/projects/SAIL) and European DEDUCE project (INTERREG IIIC South - www.deduce.eu). The initiatives are developed within the framework of the objectives as set forward in the EU Recommendation concerning the implementation of ICZM

Belgian shipwrecks: hotspots for marine biodiversity

Hard bottom substrates at sea allow the development of communities that are often rich in terms of species diversity. Non-biogenic structures such as shipwrecks are an integral part of these substrates, even if they have an anthropogenic origin and the species assemblages they harbor could be for that reason qualified as 'exotic'. There are 200 recent shipwrecks on the Belgian Continental Shelf (BCS), which represent a large fraction of the hard substrate available locally; their presence has an additional interest if we know that the major part of the English Channel and Southern Bight of the North Sea consists almost exclusively of soft sediments. Five shipwrecks on the BCS will be studied in order to assess the meio- and macrofaunal diversity using direct observations and scuba sampling techniques. The soft sediments close to shipwrecks will also be studied to serve as model for areas relatively undisturbed by fisheries (untrawled). Added to this, the influence of shipwrecks on local hydrodynamics and sediment transport will favor the colonization by fragile epibenthic species and as a consequence increase habitat complexity. For each site, standard abiotic parameters and current vectors will be measured and modeled. The information will be centralized in a database and disseminated through a web site devoted to the biodiversity of the BCS. The results will be relevant to the management of the BCS; the anthropogenic hard substrates of shipwrecks can serve as a model for what will happen with the installation of offshore windmills. A brochure will increase public awareness of the importance of marine diversity, and increase public support for marine protected areas